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PA HB629

PA HB629
Amending the act of February 2, 1966 (1965 P.L.1860, No.586), entitled "An act encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational purposes by limiting liability in connection therewith, and repealing certain acts," further providing for definitions, for duty to keep premises safe and warning and for assurance of safe premises and duty of care and responsibility and liability.


summary

Introduced
02/20/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amending the act of February 2, 1966 (1965 P.L.1860, No.586), entitled "An act encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational purposes by limiting liability in connection therewith, and repealing certain acts," further providing for definitions, for duty to keep premises safe and warning and for assurance of safe premises and duty of care and responsibility and liability.

AI Summary

This bill amends an existing Pennsylvania law that encourages landowners to make their land available for public recreational use by providing liability protections. The bill adds new definitions for "volunteer" and "volunteer organization," specifically including nonprofit organizations dedicated to maintaining land for recreational purposes. The legislation clarifies that landowners, volunteers, and volunteer organizations do not automatically owe a duty of care to people using their land for recreation, meaning they are not legally responsible for ensuring the safety of recreational users or warning them about potential hazards. The bill expands existing protections to explicitly include volunteers and volunteer organizations, ensuring they cannot be held liable for injuries that occur on their land when people are using it for recreational purposes. The new definitions and liability protections are designed to encourage landowners and volunteer groups to make more land available for public recreational use without fear of legal consequences, with the law set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (18)

Last Action

Referred to Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development (on 02/20/2025)

bill text


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